Tag Archives: AVID Technical Resources

IT Recruiting Advice: Write Your Thoughts Down!

In the IT staffing industry, there are peaks of booming activity, which is great for technical recruiters and IT consultants.  But is there so much activity that IT headhunters have a habit of forgetting what needs to be done or letting tasks slip through the cracks?  Technical recruiting companies might be so busy, that you begin to forget simple procedures or have trouble grasping ideas and concepts.  Before the problem progresses, the IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources have a simple solution: keep a notebook handy and write things down!

Less Stressful

Mentally creating a list of all the things IT staffing companies need to do is not helpful and often will make employees and hiring managers more stressed out.  Having a tangible reminder of what needs to be accomplished will help you to see where IT recruiting firms have flexibility, as well as what will take priority in order of tasks.  Also, by writing down thoughts and ideas, technical recruiters will not be drawing blanks later when they need the info the most.

Improved Understanding

You may find that you remembered the information after you wrote it down, and then think perhaps you do not need to take notes.  To jot down notes is to think about the material twice, which will help to grasp a better concept of the information and improve your memory.  By writing down material, you will be able to evaluate key facts and points and use them to your advantage at a later time.  Before you give up taking notes, remember how it helped to reinforce detail.  You might not have remembered otherwise.

More on Task

By gathering your thoughts, ideas, and tasks on paper, you are mentally preparing to complete a task and put your brain to work.  Half the battle with procrastination is just getting a plan started.  By writing things down, you might find you are more willing and ready to complete tasks, meet deadlines, and exceed expectations.

The brain can only retain so much information.  Avoid overloading yourself by putting outstanding tasks and ideas on paper.  Eventually, you will wonder how you survived without a handy notebook!

IT Recruiting Companies Debate: K Cups or Ground Coffee

Quantity

Are you brewing for the entire IT staffing office or just yourself?  If you are brewing coffee at smaller quantities, you will want to go with the Keurig.  The K cup machine provides the option to brew one cup without holding up the coffee machine for other technical recruiters.  Coffee drip machines are made to brew larger cups of coffee which can lead to waste if it is not consumed.  If IT professionals and hiring managers are looking to make a big brew at once, look to the coffee drip machine to satisfy your needs.

Quality

This is up for debate and varies by coffee drinker.  Some say that ground coffee is superior to K cup coffee because of its storage capacity where as K cups can become stale relatively fast.  Then there are the countless options when using K cups and its variety of flavors.  An IT recruiter can purchase a variety pack which allows them to experriment with different flavors and choose which they like best.  Typically with ground coffee, a technical recruiter must by a bag and test their options.

Convenience

Brewing a cup of coffee by drip machine seems to be outdated and time consuming as our society expects less and less in terms of time commitment.  IT staffing companies want everything fast and immediately available with as little work as possible.  The Keurig machine offers a single cup of coffee in about one minute and little to no clean up.  Drip machines can take several minutes to brew and requires routine maintenance and clean up.

Environmental and Cost Concerns

The average price per standard K cup is about fifty cents, which can be costly where as standard coffee ground is about half the price per cup.  K cup packaging is non-recyclable, but you can purchase a reusable filter to cut down on waste.  The benefit of using the reusable filter is you can cut down on spending by buying coffee grounds, too!

Neither is necessarily better, but it seems the IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources could not function without their K cup machine!

Gum—IT Staffing Industry Necessity

An IT staffing sales representative is preparing for a meeting with one of his clients.  Before he leaves the technical recruiting company, he checks his bag to ensure he has plenty of AVID Technical Resources brochures, pens, and a folder with his notes and paperwork.  There is something missing…then he remembers.  He reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a fresh pack of gum.

Ice Breaker

Since a young age, gum has been banned in schools and professional environments, but what caused this so-called taboo?  Gum can actually be used as an advantage to break the ice when starting a meeting.  Offer other IT professionals a piece of gum and see if they are receptive to your gesture.  Another tip might be to choose a less common gum or obscure flavor to make small talk in the beginning of the meeting.  Though some might not be comfortable with this approach, it can help the client remember you and set you apart from competing IT recruiting companies.

Freshens Breath

Almost every technical recruiter has had the experience of going to speak to someone and wanting to do an immediate one-eighty.  Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common, embarrassing hygiene offender.  Take a piece of gum yourself and then offer other IT recruiters or hiring managers a piece.  This will avoid potential awkwardness while subtly hinting that their breath needs to be refreshed.

Helps Memory

Though it has not been prove why, gum helps to sharpen your memory when first chewed.  When approaching a complex matter or designing a procedure, pop a fresh piece of gum in your mouth to improve performance.  If it does not help with work, it will certainly help your breath!

Before you begin bringing gum with your to all your client meetings, check with your IT recruiting manager to be sure that it is appropriate and in compliance with your IT recruiting company.

IT Recruiting: Interviewing When You are Employed

Whether you’re bored with a current role, looking for a new challenge, or simply disliking your position, you might be on the prowl for new IT jobs.  A common concern for these IT professionals is how to interview when they are already employed.  The IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources can provide some helpful insights to those who are fortunate enough to have a position, but are seeking new opportunities.

Flexible

If given the chance, interview after or before work.  Interviewing outside of office hours will help ease nerves, especially first thing in the morning, while allowing you to complete your responsibilities with your current employer.  If do not have much flexibility, try interviewing with IT staffing firms during your lunch hour.  Make hiring managers and technical recruiters aware that there may be a time constraint.

Take a Personal Day

Take a personal day and try scheduling as many interviews as you can in one day.  Most IT staffing companies allow their employees days off for appointments and personal matters.  In fact, if you do not use them, you may lose them! Be mindful to not overbook yourself, though.  If you schedule too many IT job interviews in one day, you may lose track of your thoughts or run into schedule conflicts.

Do’s and Don’ts

When searching for a new job, never use your company’s resources to your advantage.  Avoid taking calls from IT headhunters in the office or responding to emails on your work email address.  If you must take a call, make sure it is in private and on your own line.  Provide your notice in a timely manner according to your company’s policy.  Tie all lose ends and complete your work.  Basically, your goal is to leave on good terms!

Keeping IT Jobs in Massachusetts

In November 2011, the national unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, while Massachusetts’ unemployment rate was 7.0 percent.  With some of the most prestigious technical engineering schools including MIT, Wentworth, and Harvard, IT staffing firms wonder why graduates are choosing to migrate west when it comes to landing an IT job.  The Boston IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources suggest some reasons IT consultants should stick around the bay state.

Education

If workers or technical recruiters are wishing to further their education, the bay state is a perfect location.  With such an elite selection of competitive colleges and universities, Massachusetts is ideal for those who are pursing flexible degree programs and course schedules.  To find the best school for you, check this technical school guide.

History

There is so much history and culture that Boston has to offer.  Why not be a part of the history and make Boston your home or place of work?  You will not only be enhancing your career options, you will also add culture and a bit of diversity to your life.

Opportunities

Despite the ongoing recession, Boston’s unemployment rate is below the nation’s average, which means growing opportunities for job seekers and IT recruiting companies.  If IT consultants are looking for different work atmosphere, they do not have to limit themselves to business professional or totally casual.  They can find the perfect fit by consulting their IT recruiter.

If you wish to work in Boston, but prefer the suburban life, plenty of jobs allow telecommuting and travel.  Expand your options and contact Boston IT headhunters today!

IT Recruiting: Skype Interviews for Hiring Managers

Last week, the IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources provided prospective candidates with helpful information regarding Skype interviews.  This week, the spotlight is on the hiring managers.  If IT staffing companies are looking for innovative ways to interview and screen candidates, the Skype interview may be the right choice!

Saves Money

The Skype interview is perfect for saving companies money, while also expanding their candidate search.  The webcam-based interview allows hiring managers to interview candidates who are from outside the area without the burden of travel and lodging accommodations.  The cost of the equipment may pay for itself in just one screening.

Saves Time

Often hiring managers and technical recruiting companies will know within the first five minutes if IT consultants will be a fit for their IT job opportunities.  Rather than flying in a candidate, taking them out to lunch, and conducting three round interviews, a team can sit in together or take turns interviewing the IT contractor.  A whole day ordeal can be drastically reduced to an hour, leaving plenty of time for other projects and interviewing more candidates.

Body Language

IT staffing firms may use Skype interviews rather than phone interviews to read a candidate’s body language and see how comfortable they feel around information technology.  Also, the webcam provides technical recruiters the opportunity to witness how a consultant responds to questions social cicumstances.  Check for indicators that the applicant is professional by his attire, behavior, as well as the setting and background he chooses to conduct his interview.

Record for Review

The video conference allows hiring managers of IT recruiting firms to review the interview and take note of subtle details.  They can also use the replays to compare candidates’ answers and responses to questions.  If a hiring manager was absent from the meeting, he can view the interview as well for feedback.

While the typical phone and in-person interview will not be disappearing any time soon, the Skype interview may become a more viable option for money and time-conscious IT recruiting companies.

IT Recruiting: New Year’s Resolution

Another year has passed and the time to reflect upon feats and impending change is looming.  Before technical recruiting companies are too hard on themselves, remember accomplishments and how IT headhunters achieved these goals.  Think of how an AVID Technical Resources recruiter felt after they were successful and the rigorous process to accept and meet these challenges.  New Year’s is the opportunity to make changes in areas of weakness and seek room for improvement at IT recruiting firms.

Set Goals

Most people do not follow through on their New Year’s resolution because they set unrealistic goals.  Rather than choosing a goal an IT recruiter feels should be accomplished, they can choose to tackle a problem they want and can solve.  The headhunters will be better motivated to partake in the process if they truly desire the end result.  Also, neither candidates or technical recruiters should not set themselves up for failure by creating impracticable expectations.

Plan

In order to achieve challenges, a plan must be devised.  IT recruiters can try new approaches and should not be afraid to ask for help.  Instead of trying to tackle a large target, start with smaller steps and, as the recruiter progresses, he can create new goals.  Be open and ready for challenges along the way and maintain a focus to stay committed during both good and bad times.  The small problems will prepare a recruiter for larger ones as they arise and the accomplishments will motivate him to achieve consistently.

Take Personal Time

IT staffing firms may have workaholics and that is where they need to improve.  Consider taking time to put work aside and enjoy personal time with friends, family, or, simply, by themselves.  Find balance and reduce stress levels by leaving work in the IT staffing office and focusing on personal needs.  Recruiters may find they are more relaxed and actually perform better on the clock.

One should not feel pressured to devise a New Year’s resolution considering they have all year to make a change, but it is never too late to start!

IT Recruiting: Best Decision Making Tips

When an IT recruiter is presented with multiple options, how does he choose which is best?  Technical recruiters encourage candidates to make the best choices in terms of their careers and opportunities on a daily basis.  For those applicants and hiring managers in frequent limbos, IT recruiters can provide helpful tips to making the most beneficial decisions.  Continue reading on for some useful tips from the elite IT headhunters of AVID Technical Resources.

Make a List

It might sound too basic and simple, but by brainstorming and creating a list of your choices, you can put ideas into perspective.  You may also discover different options you were previously unaware of.  Tweak your list by conducting research and nixing those that are cumbersome or unfavorable.

Pros and Cons

When you have narrowed your selection to a few options, make a second list of pros and cons for each choice’s outcome.  Try to avoid over thinking the process and realize that it is acceptable to make mistakes.  If necessary, approach your IT staffing team for a second opinion after you have gathered your facts.  Involving others from technical recruiting companies in the decision making process takes the burden off of one individual and opens the floor to different, and often better, suggestions.

Intuition

If you find you are still torn between your options, try going with your gut instinct and maintain your confidence.  When you are passionate about an idea, let your intuition guide you in the right direction.  Second guessing yourself typically leads to more mistakes so get an idea and stick to it!

Learn from Mistakes

Never dwell on an error or if a plan does not go as expected.  Making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn at IT recruiting companies.  Next time the issue or project comes up, you will be better prepared to handle it.

Making decisions can be a stressful experience, but by using these tips you can help ease the process!

IT Recruiters Boston Get Around Town

Ask IT recruiting companies that call Boston their home how they get around and you will get a number of answers.  The technical recruiters of AVID Technical Resources weigh in on their choice methods of transportation.  Which do you use?

Driving

Those who do not fear traffic, pedestrians, or the inevitable parallel parking in the streets of the city choose to use their own car.  While courting yourself around might seem more convenient, IT recruiters must remember the costs associated with owning a vehicle such as insurance, gas, and routine maintenance as well as the random perks of parking tickets.  To help lessen the burden of owning a car, an IT recruiter should consider joining a car sharing company such as Zipcar. Those who have flexible spending might enjoy the luxury of letting someone else grab the wheel by taking a cab.

Biking

The more health conscious or eco-friendly technical recruiter rides their bikes to IT recruiting firms or across the city.  The benefit of owning your bike is that you do not need to worry about fueling or traffic.  You will be reducing your carbon foot print, having fun, and taking care of daily exercise in one punch.  If you are uncertain if you want to invest in a bike, try Hubway bikes which are conveniently located throughout the city.  Always review terms and conditions as well as prices when considering your choice.

Public Transportation

If you do not mind crowds and a few delays, the MBTA is the most convenient way for technical recruiting companies to get around town.  The MBTA runs boats, busses, and trains to accommodate Bostonians at affordable prices.  Taking opportunity of these rides is not only good on your wallet, but it also helps the environment and reduces traffic, too.  There are private companies that even offer services to distant towns, cities, and other states.

Walking

Sometimes walking is the best solution for IT staffing firms, especially with there are one way streets and parking issues.  The best things about walking are it is a form of exercise and easy for almost anyone.  Next time you have an IT job interview, check to see if it is in walking distance so you can enjoy the weather and beat the traffic.

Boston may seem like a tricky city to get around if you are tourist or new, but once you get the hang of it explore the history and have some fun.

IT Staffing Gurus Plead: Bad Applicants Need Not Apply

Technical recruiting veterans know the process for weeding out bad applicants for their open IT jobs.  Yet, sometimes a bad candidate can slip through cracks, make it to an interview, and completely embarrass the IT staffing firm.  The recruiters of AVID Technical Resources provide some clues to prevent this scenario and spare the feelings of candidates.

The Resume

IT recruiters are used to skimming resumes to find the right applicants for their roles.  If a sloppy resume is filled with poor grammar and typos, it is a red flag that this candidate should not represent IT recruiting companies.  When a contractor keeps a sloppy resume and makes you look for his key skills and experiences, you could take this as a sign that he may not value his accomplishments.

Communication

If a candidate seems to be avoiding his technical recruiter like the plague, it is generally not a good sign.  Something is up when a candidate cannot provide answers or is constantly making up excuses to steer clear up his recruiter.  Be straight forward by asking the contractor if he is interviewing for other positions or if he has a potential offer lined up.  The contractor should be honest and open about his actions while providing the IT recruiter the opportunity to open this position to other applicants.

Behavior

When a contractor seems to be hiding something or avoiding his recruiter, it is better to address the issue than keep up this charade.  IT headhunters know the way to the heart of a hiring manager and can provide insight to their client.  If a candidate is not taking your advice, such as tweaking his resume or showing up to meetings on schedule, it might be time to wipe him as a potential candidate.

Worse than avoiding contact, the candidate could be blowing off interviews or showing up with a messy appearance and poor attitude.  If the contractor has not shown any signs of respect or gratefulness to his recruiter, then chances are he will follow suit with the hiring company.  Save IT staffing companies the trouble and embarrassment by not letting things get to this point!